Background
Smith, Michael E. was born on June 30, 1946 in Hobart, Oklahoma, United States.
Smith, Michael E. was born on June 30, 1946 in Hobart, Oklahoma, United States.
United States. Military Academy (Bachelor of Science, 1969). University of Oklahoma (Juris Doctor, 1975).
Smith began writing about Antarctic and Arctic exploration after a successful career as an award-winning journalist in London. He was twice named Industrial Journalist of the Year (1987 and 1992). From 1978-1989, Smith worked at The Guardian as an industrial editor, political correspondent and transport editors
From 1990-1991 he worked at The Standard as a city editors
From 1992-1995 he worked at The Observer (1992-1995) as industrial editor and business editors Michael Smith"s first book, An Unsung Hero - Tom Crean was a notable success when first published in 2000 and became the Number 1 best-selling non-fiction book in Ireland.
The biography of Tom Crean was responsible for raising awareness of the role played by Irishmen in the history of Polar exploration. A subsequent adaptation of the book for children (Tom Crean - Iceman) led to the story of Tom Crean being included on the national curriculum in Irish schools.
Michael Smith has also written biographies of Captain Lawrence Oates, Sir James Wordie and Francis Crozier.
He also chronicled the role of lesser known Irish explorers, including Edward Bransfield, Patrick Keohane, Robert Forde and Tim and Mortimer McCarthy. Michael Smith"s biography of Sir Ernest Shackleton will be published in October 2014. Michael Smith has appeared in a number of television factual documentaries.
He also wrote and presented a series about Irish explorers for Raidió Teilifís Éireann Radio.
Michael Smith has lectured extensively. Venues include: Athy Heritage Museum, Athy.
Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul. National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.
National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry. Queen"s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London. Queen"s University, Belfast.
Royal Geographical Society, London.
Stables Theatre, Hastings. University College, Cork.
White-Oates Museum, Selborne.
Garfield County, Oklahoma and American Bar Associations. The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. [Major, Judge Advocate General"s Corps Reserve, 1981-1987].
Civil Litigation - Federal and State, Insurance, Environmental Law.